As a rector, Mr. Collins has a sufficient income and a good
house. He visits Longbourn with the purpose of choosing one of
the Bennet girls as a wife, "if he found them as handsome and
amiable as they were represented by common report". Jane’s
lovely face attracts him, and she seems to be his "settled choice".
Mrs. Bennet, however, makes it clear that Jane’s affections are
pledged elsewhere. Mr. Collins then turns his attention to
Elizabeth.

The sisters walk into Meryton, accompanied by Mr. Collins.
They meet Mr. Denny, an officer, who introduces them to his
colleague Mr. Wickham. He is a young man with a fine
countenance and a good figure. The group encounters Bingley
and Darcy, who are riding down the street on their way to
Longbourn to inquire after Jane’s health. Darcy and Wickham
seem flustered on seeing each other, exchanging a strange look.
Darcy and Bingley ride on while Denny and Wickham escort the
girls and Mr. Collins to Mrs. Philips’ house. Mrs. Philips
promises to invite Wickham and the girls to dinner the next
evening, which thrills the girls. On returning to Longbourn, Mr.
Collins lavishes exaggerated praise on Mrs. Philips’ excellent
manners and hospitality.

Notes

"Mr. Collins was not a sensible man". This statement by the
author sets a factual seal on the opinion voiced earlier by Elizabeth
and her father. The subsequent actions of Mr. Collins only confirm this
view.

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There is a marked change in Mrs. Bennet’s attitude towards Mr.
Collins. It progresses from hostility to deference, as his position
changes from the eventual inheritor of Longbourn to an available
suitor for her daughter. At first Mrs. Bennet loathes him as the
person who is going to snatch their property. When he makes it
known that he is interested in marrying one of the Bennet girls,
she warms to him, and "the man, whom she could not bear to
speak of the day before, was now high in her good graces". She
realizes that if one of her daughters marries Collins, Longbourn
will remain in the immediate family. She and her daughters will
not have to be displaced.

The appearance of Wickham is crucial for two reasons. First, he
serves as a contrast to Darcy; and secondly, he is an important
character in the working later working out of the plot. The
accidental meeting of Darcy and Wickham is very dramatic, and
Elizabeth immediately senses that something is wrong between
the two. Her insight is, however, obstructed by her prejudice, and
she is not able to see through Wickham and accepts all his
accusations against Darcy at face value.